Improvement in machines for bending volute springs



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.6MM @MM v MFTERS FHOTO-UTNOGRAFHER, WASHXNGTON D C UNITED STATES PATENTOEEIcE.

REUBEN MILLER, OF BITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN MACHINES FOR BENDING VOLUTE SPRINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 106,603, dated August23, 1870.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN MILLER, of Pittsburg, in the county ofyAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Machine for Bending Springs; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to machinery for coil-` represents, in perspective,my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevationthrough the rolls and mandrel.

In both gures like letters are used to denote similar parts.

My machine consists, in part, of a table or bed, on which the sheet ofsteel is fed to the winding roller or mandrel between a pair of rollers.The end of the table at or under the mandrel while pressed up to itswork is also susceptible of depression as the diameter of the volute onthe mandrel increases.

In the drawing, F is' the mandrel-frame, supporting three pillow-blocks,B B B",in two of which, B Bf, are the bearings of the mandrel A, and inthe middle block, B', and the third one, B, are the bearings of theshaft which carries the pulleys b b' l1", which is in the samehorizontal axial line as the mandrel A. The axis of the mandrel A in thecenter pillowblock, B', is connected with the shaft of the pulleys b bya sleeve or socket or otherwise, so as to be revolved by the revolutionof any one of the pulleys, (which are driven by a belt from asteam-engine or other prime motor, (so as to be easily detached in orderto remove the finished volute wound around it.

In order to remove the mandrel A from the machine, the cap c of thepillow-block B is hinged at one end, as shown in Fig. l, so that onraising it the journal of the mandrel A is exposed, and may be liftedout of its seat, when the journal at the other end can be drawn out fromits connection with the pulleyshaft in the pillow-block B. The cap c onthe pillow-block is fastened when in place by a slotted pin, (l, and keye, as shown in the drawing.

The mandrel A is cylindrical, of such diameter as is required for theinnermost curb of the volute spring, and has a slot, s, extendingparallel to itsaxis the entire length of the mandrel, wide and deepenough to receive the forward edge of the sheet of steel to be worked,and hold it as it is being wound around by the revolution of themandrel.

Opposite to the mandrel, and at a suitable distance for the length ofthe bed, is a stand, C, which supports the rear end of the feedtable D,and to which the table may be pivoted or hinged; or, if preferred, as anequivalent device, the top of the stand may have a straight roundededge, which enters a groove in the under edge of the bed, the objectbeing to support the bed, and at the same time allow of its beingslightly raised or depressed at its forward end under or near themandrel A.

The table has a plane upper surface, excepting that at each side is astrip, y, screwed down to the table, forming a ledge, the distancebetween these strips being such as to allow the plate of steel to passfreely between them over the table on its way to the mandrel, and yetclose enough to keep the plate stra-ight. These strips g g may befastened down by bolts passing through slots in the table, so that theirdistance apart, forming the path of the steel, may be adjusted to anydesired width.

At a short distance from the mandrel, across the table D, are fixed twosmall-diameter parallel rolls, E E', which are placed so as to beparallel to the mandrel A, the lower roll, E, having its bearings incaps a', attached to but under the table, so that the surface of theroll is very slightly above the surface of the table D, and the upperroll, E', has its bearings in caps t', projecting from and above thesurface of the table D. These caps are attached to the table in anyconvenient manner, but so that they can be raised or lowered in order toincrease or diminish the space between the rolls, and that thus theirbite'may be adjusted to the thickness of the steel plate which is to becurled by the machine.

From the farther extremity of the table to the point where the rolls E Eare situated, the table D is straight and is placed horizontally, ornearly so; but from that point to the mandrel it inclincs slightlydownward.

As the steel plate is wound around the mandrel in forming a volutespring the diameter of the roll is increased, and, consequently it isnecessary that the forward end of the table, at or under the mandrel A,should be gradually depressed. This is eifected by the pressure of thecoiled steel plate on the mandrel; but to permit of such depression, andyet keep the table up to its work as closely as possible to the mandrelA, its forward end is supported on props consisting of two levers, h h',which cross each other on a shaft, 7s, which passes through them andforms their fulerum. This shaft is rigidly attached to the frame F ofthe machine. The upper extremity of these levers may be furnished withfriction-rollers l l, so as to permit of their working easily againstthe under side of the table D.

To the lower extremity of each of the levers h h is attached orsuspended a weight, w w', of sufficient gravity to keep the table upagainst the outer surface of the steel plate as it is being rolledaround the mandrel, and cause the steel plate to bend closely around themandrel. Were this not the case the steel plate would curl too looselyto form a good volute.

In order to regulate the degree of pressure, and increase it, ifnecessary, a treadle, m, hinged to the floor of the machine at o, isemployed, having one or more rods, p, extending perpendieularly from theshort end of the treadle to the under side of the table D, at or nearits front end. The rod or rods p may, if preferred, be hinged to thetable or to the treadle, or to both.

In lieu of the weighted levers and treadle for pressing the free end ofthe table up against the mandrel, a spring or springs may be placedunder the end ofthe table, and bearing against the frame of the machine.

rIhe operation of the machine is as follows: The strips g g being set atthe proper dis tance apart, the plate of steel to be wound is placed onthe surface of the table D, passed under the rollers E E', and itsforward end is inserted in the groove S in the mandrel A. The mandrel Ais then caused to revolve in the direction indicated by the arrow inFig. 2, so as not to raise the plate of steel from the table D, and theouter end of the treadle being depressed by the workmans foot, so as togive sufficient pressure (in addition to that of the weighted levers hh) to cause the steel plate to be wound closely, the operation iscontinued until the entire length of the steel plate is wound on themandrel A. Vhen this is done the cap c of the pillow-block B is raised,and the mandrel,with the steel plate wo und around it, is removed fromthe machine, and the mandrel being drawn out from the coiled steelplate, the machine is ready for a repetition of the operation onreplacing the mandrel. Duplicate inandrels may be employed, so as toavoid detention while the volute spring is being removed from themandrel.

I am aware that the combination of a slotted roll and a hingedfeeding-table and mechanism to constantly force the table upward towardthe roll is not new, nor do I claim said combination, broadly; but

What I do claim as my improvement of said combination is- 1.Constructing the groove of a width equal or about equal to the thicknessof the metal, and attaching one of the roller journalbea-rings to thepillow-block by a hinged cap, to permit the roll to be readily removed,substantiall y as set forth.

2. The combination of the slotted roller or mandrel A, the feed rolls EE', hinged table D, and mechanism for applying an upward pressure to thetable, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I, the said REUBEN MILLER, have hereunto set myhand.

REUBEN MILLER.

Witnesses A. S. NICHOLSON, THos. B. Knien.

